Now in its fifth year, BAMcinemaFest (June 19-28) may not have the cultural cachet of the New York or Tribeca film festivals, but it’s quickly becoming a local favorite for those in-the-know. Two years ago, the New Yorker‘s Richard Brody called it “the city’s best independent-film showcase.” And that’s still true—maybe even more so. While indie-big releases like Computer Chess, Drinking Buddies, Museum Hours and Ain’t Them Bodies Saints will screen this year, there’ll also be many films from up-and-coming local filmmakers—at least nine of the 25 features—making it something of a hometown festival. We spoke to the writers, directors and producers of these movies and asked them about life in Brooklyn, what the local film community is like, and which of the borough’s movie theaters is the best.(Full disclosure: The L publishes the programs for BAM.)